KOTA KINABALU: There is an emerging trend today of juvenile involvement in crime and other social ills.

Based on police statistics from Bukit Aman, juvenile involvement in index crimes totaled 7,816 cases in 2013 as compared to 3,700 cases in 2012.

Out of these figures student involvement in index crime totaled 1,632 cases in 2013 as compared to 1,042 cases in 2012 an increase of 57 per cent. As for non-student involvement, it totaled 6,184 cases in 2013 as compared to 2,658 cases in 2012 an increase of 133%,

Lee said last year saw a 47% jump in nationwide violent crime among minors aged between 12 and 17 with some even involved in murder and rape cases.

Cases of violent crimes went up from 368 in 2012 to 542 last year among school-going children while cases involving non school-going children saw a 137% jump with 2,011 cases reported last year as compared to 849 cases in 2012.

“Most minors get into crime because of negative peer influence and elements of gangsterism which are attempting to penetrate our schools.

“It appears noble values no longer seem to dictate the behaviour of many juvenile as their respect for the law and civic consciousness seem to be diminishing. Some of them are even showing disrespect to their parents and their elders,” he said.

According to Lee, teenagers as young as 12 are dabbling in crime and get involved in drugs, gambling and other various social ills which would affect their future.

These are worrying trends and have to be looked into by the relevant authorities and other segments of society in totality in order to find enduring solutions, he said.

“Why are our juveniles and teenagers behaving in this way? Why are they disobeying and not respecting the law even to the extent of putting their future in jeopardy?

“There are questions which not only need answers but also solutions,” he said.

Looking at juvenile crime and other social ills besetting our children and teenagers, he said that counseling programmes involving family institutions and the promotion of good noble values are in greater need today than ever before.

“Noble values must continue to be preserved and nurtured to act as a shield against the various social ills plaguing the society.

“When a nation progresses the family institution could be the first victim with children not getting enough attention and guidance leading to the emergence of various social ills affecting our teenagers,” he said.

Lee further pointed out that children who return from schools find themselves in empty homes as both their parents are out at work. There is no one around to show parental love, teach and inculcate in the children good family values.

Instead of seeking guidance from parents these children do so from their peers. With negative influence and peer pressure an environment will exist which will eventually lead to various social ills.

Children who grow up in such environment will end up in becoming the victims of many social ills like truancy, violence in schools, drug abuse and even crimes.

If this problem is not addressed it will result in a serious divide between children and parents and an increase in social problems and crime involving juvenile and teenagers.

Lee stressed that parents must be increasingly concerned about the quality of family life and must constantly take steps to instill into their children the basic moral values needed to build the foundation of a strong, stable and cohesive society.

What is also needed is a continuous programme of moral strengthening and reinforcement to make the children aware of their responsibilities to themselves, their parents, the community and the nation, he said.

“As regards respect for law and order, having interacted with the young generation on several occasions, what is sorely needed to me is leadership by example.

“In this connection our national leaders must always set the right example to our young generation in terms of respect for law and social order as well as moral behaviour,” added Lee.